The winter season is in full swing, and for gourmands, now is the time to indulge in a host of seasonal delicacies. Carrot, or gajar in Hindi, is one of the most popular winter vegetables, and gajar is not just about gajar ka halwa or juice but also about tantalising and yummy kanji.
Kanji is a fermented Indian drink full of spicy flavours and vegetables that is not only delicious but also extremely healthy. During the harsh cold season, our health and immunity may take a hit, and we might fall sick. In such cases, kanji can be quite a saviour. Made with water, black carrots, beetroot, mustard seeds, and hing, this is a refreshing drink you simply can’t miss. While most of us associate kanji with Holi, it also makes for a popular health drink during the cold season.
Kanji is a nutritious and healthy North Indian drink that is enriched with probiotics from the fermentation process. It helps promote immunity, and gut health, boost skin health, and much more. Carrots, being an excellent source of vitamin A, make an ideal drink to boost immunity during the winter season. Kanji is also known to improve digestion.
Make Your Own Gajar Ki Kanji
To make this kanji, add carrots to boiled water and let it come to a boil. Once it has cooled down, add in the spices and mix well. Simply transfer everything to a bottle. Cover it and keep it in the sun for 2–3 days.
Here’s the full recipe:
Ingredients
250 g of carrots
6 cups of water
3 tablespoons of mustard powder
2 tablespoons of salt
Method
- Peel the carrots and cut them lengthwise, not too thin (about 2 inches in size).
- Boil the water and add the carrots to it.
- When the water comes to a boil again, shut off the heat and leave it to cool.
- Add the salt and the mustard powder, and transfer to a jar with a lid. Keep this in the sun to mature.
- In sunny weather, it takes 3–4 days for the taste of the mustard to become strong. Do not keep the jar in the sun after it is ready. Store it in a cool place.
Try this kanji this winter season and share your experience with us.